Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)

The big value is in our electricity and gas grids, and I do not believe we should sell them. There is no energy security benefit in selling our State assets in that way. Neither do I believe there is a benefit in bringing our companies together into one office in the Department of the Taoiseach. It do not believe it will work nor will it be more efficient. The figure of €18 billion that is being cited actually grasps the scale of the opportunity. I saw Mr. Peter Brennan speak recently on behalf of the energy group on the Dublin Chamber of Commerce. He cited the fact that taking a ten-year view, there is already a €75 billion investment plan being spent. This combines the €22 billion commitment by the ESB, the €5 billion commitment by Bord Gáis, the €4 billion to be spent on EirGrid, and the €16 billion that will be developed in the private wind energy sector.

See this speech in context